Launch of LANDNZ
The government is delighted to see the launch of LANDNZ.
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I am delighted to be here today at the launch of this collaboration of land information businesses and professionals.
The Government supports this kind of 'NZ Inc' approach to these important international markets.
It is this kind of initiative that will help achieve our goal of moving New Zealand to a high income, knowledge-based
economy. Economic transformation relies on being able to gain access to larger markets.
It means increasing the number and quality of our globally competitive firms. And it means being innovative and
responsive to new market opportunities and becoming more integrated into the international market.
As Bill has mentioned, New Zealand already has a reputation overseas for being quick to adapt to new technologies, and
to find new uses for them. LINZ's Landonline, for example, has attracted considerable international attention and has
lead to New Zealand being recognised internationally for its efficient land transaction system.
You have identified that there will be increasing demand around the world for expertise in land development,
administration and infrastructure. And you have identified a need to take an industry-wide approach to meeting that
demand.
New Zealand has already made inroads into the international geospatial arena through its joint initiative with
Swedesurvey, working on a United Nations project to demarcate the Iraq-Kuwait border.
I'd like to pay tribute to Bill, whose foresight, international contacts and energy, greatly aided New Zealand's
involvement in the project.
The Government is pleased to endorse the LANDNZ initiative being launched today.
It will create an important central point of contact for those in the New Zealand geospatial industry.
As a result, it will be easier for LINZ to provide all key players in the industry with important heads ups; for
example, to let them know about upcoming opportunities or when international delegations are visiting New Zealand.
Furthermore, it will strengthen the services that LINZ itself makes use of.
When LINZ was established one of its objectives was to foster the development of a contestable market for the provision
of services to government.
However, the volume of work available in New Zealand is, in many areas, too small to give firms the critical mass they
need to remain viable. Therefore LINZ welcomes the chance for the domestic market to grow and diversify, on the back of
overseas contracts.
The Geospatial Strategy, which is in the pipeline, should greatly improve communication and collaboration between the
land information industry and key government geospatial agencies.
The strategy proposes setting up an industry forum, which will have representation on the Geospatial Advisory Committee.
That will keep the government informed on the industry's strategy to develop offshore markets, its capacity, the impacts
of emerging technology, and the demands for information and services which the industry is experiencing.
It will also mean the government can keep the industry informed of its strategic direction and emerging issues that have
potential to impact on the industry.
There are a range of other government initiatives that are helping to guide and develop New Zealand's electronic
information infrastructure and services.
These include the eGovernment Interoperability Framework, known as eGIF, and The Digital Strategy.
These wider initiatives provide a foundation for LANDNZ to undertake international consultancy work on a broader front -
as geospatial initiatives seldom sit in isolation from wider economic and information frameworks.
We will support you: LINZ will assist, where it can and in an even-handed way, by using its own networks and contacts to
help build relationships between people in the industry.
It's early days: it's a new way of working, but I am keen to see LINZ help the group move ahead.
ENDS